League Report - Tigers roar past Swans

By Dan Scamozzi

Claremont recorded consecutive wins and moved to within one win of the top five after smashing an insipid and lacklustre Swan Districts by 67 points at Claremont Oval last Saturday.

In splendid conditions, the Tigers won every term, kept Swans goalless in the second quarter, recorded 17 more inside 50s, 17 more scoring shots and had nine goal kickers in the 16.14 (110) to 6.7 (43) rout, as the team recorded their fifth win of the season.

Reliable defender Anton Hamp celebrated his 100^th game by blanketing Swans forward Ricky Cary, while Jye Bolton (37 disposals, eight clearances, seven inside 50s, one goal) put on a midfield masterclass.

Matt Guelfi (six tackles, two goals) continued his outstanding form to take home the players’ player award, while Chris (CJ) Oakley thrilled the crowd with his pace, repeat efforts and four goals.

Beau Maister (eight marks, four goals) provided a focal point in the Tigers’ forward line and had the better of Swans’ co-captain Tallan Ames, while Zac Langdon played his first League game since round five and was another key contributor.

Acting captain Ian Richardson had more inside 50s (nine) than any other player on the ground, while Harrison McCracken (20 disposals, eight marks) blanketed Swans’ Todd Banfield and gave the Tigers terrific rebound from half-back.

Swans were led by Adam Faulkner (26 disposals, five tackles), Corey Gault (21 hit-outs) and Warrick Wilson (25 disposals, five inside 50s), however, Banfield (two) was their only multiple goal kicker as the team slumped to consecutive losses.

After defeating East Fremantle at the same venue seven days earlier, the Tigers made two changes to the team, with Langdon replacing Matt Palfrey (back) and Morgan Davies replacing Anthony Morabito (knee soreness).

With Richardson winning the coin toss and electing to kick to the northern end of the ground in the opening term, an early goal to Banfield saw Swans strike first, before some great pressure and an outstanding dribble kick from the forward pocket allowed Guelfi to respond for Claremont.

A freakish goal from Cary, which somehow eluded everyone near it and bounced through the big sticks, saw Swans reclaim the lead, before Davies snapped truly in an entertaining start to the game.

A great smother by Guelfi and pressure and repeat efforts by Oakley highlighted the Tigers’ appetite for the contest, before Maister gave Claremont consecutive goals.

A booming finish from a tight angle saw Guelfi kick his second, before the prolific Tiger completed a great chase and tackle in defence soon after to help Claremont to a 14-point lead at quarter-time.

Coach Darren Harris lauded the team’s will to defend all over the ground, contested possession, handball receives, on-field communication and hunger to have an “absolute crack”, as the Tigers recorded their highest-scoring opening term since round six.

A dashing run along the grandstand wing by Langdon, which included five bounces, unfortunately resulted in a behind, while a lunging mark by Oakley did likewise as the Tigers were unable to capitalise in the second term, before a goal to Nick Winmar saw the team extend their lead to 22 points at half-time.

A brilliant finish from a tight angle by Bolton gave the Tigers five consecutive goals and a perfect start to the second half, before Banfield (second) kicked Swans’ first major since the eight-minute mark of the opening term.

Goals to Bailey Banfield and Maister (second) saw the Tigers respond, before Kirk Ugle replied for Swans.

However, it would be all Claremont in the final 10 minutes of the third term, as Ryan Lim and Maister (third) kicked truly, before another lunging mark by Oakley saw the pocket rocket give the Tigers a 48-point lead at the final change.

Harris implored the Tigers to keep the foot on the throat and maintain their team defence, and when Maister kicked his fourth goal in the second minute of the final term from a spearing pass by Langdon, the lead was out to 54 points.

Langdon was then rewarded for his hard work when he kicked Claremont’s 13^th goal soon after, before four minutes of brilliance and three consecutive goals by Oakley lit up Claremont Oval.

Blistering pace and an ability to baulk opponents saw the tenacious Tiger thrill everyone in attendance, with Bolton winning clearance after clearance and consistently driving the team forward.

The result was eight consecutive goals and a 78-point lead to Claremont at the 10-minute mark of the final term, with the Tigers threatening to demolish Swans into an oblivion.

Two goals to Swans added a skerrick of respectability to the scoreboard from their perspective, however, the day belonged to Claremont.

The Tigers will look to record their third consecutive win when they host West Perth at the same venue in round 14.

In further good news, captain Jake Murphy (29 disposals, one goal) made a successful return from injury in the Reserves.

CLAREMONT 4.4 5.7 11.11 16.14 (110)

SWAN DISTRICTS 2.2 2.3 4.5 6.7 (43)

GOALS

CLAREMONT: 4 B. Maister, C. Oakley, 2 M. Guelfi, 1 J. Bolton, Z. Langdon, B. Banfield, Morgan Davies, N. Winmar, R. Lim.

SWAN DISTRICTS: 2 T. Banfield, 1 R. Cary, T. Stewart, K. Ugle, J. Slater.

BEST

CLAREMONT: J. Bolton, M. Guelfi, C. Oakley, A. Hamp, B. Maister.

SWAN DISTRICTS: C. Gault, W. Wilson, D. Ellard, M. Riggio.

CROWD: 1, 572.

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